Oregon DC Andy Avalos Returning To Boise State As Head Coach

Boise State has found its replacement for head coach Bryan Harsin, who left for Auburn days before Christmas. The next leading man for the Broncos will be former linebacker and ex-assistant Andy Avalos.

Avalos has spent the last two seasons in Eugene as the defensive coordinator at Oregon.

Prior to that, he spent seven years in Boise. He was the defensive line coach from 2012-13, then switched to linebackers from 2014-15. Then, Avalos was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2016 and stayed in that role for three seasons.

Now, he's coming home with a much larger role. Pete Thamel with Yahoo Sports tweeted out the news on Friday evening.

Oregon had one of the nation's most promising defenses coming into 2020. But unfortunately, several members of the secondary opted out. That included Jevon Holland, Brady Breeze and Thomas Graham Jr.

Those losses, on top of lacking a traditional offseason with COVID-19, caused the Ducks defense to suffer. Avalos is still well-respected in coaching circles, however, and should do well at his alma mater. He was a linebacker for the Broncos from 2001-05.

Avalos beat out other candidates such as Montana State head coach Jeff Choate and USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, according to Blue Turf Sports.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.